Yanko Design - Form Beyond Function

Lenovo’s VR kit opens your eyes to new worlds

Posted: 10 Jan 2018 12:19 PM PST

Lenovo is betting on the future being in VR with its Mirage Solo headset. The headset sits on your head, secured with a strap and an adjustment knob for a comfortable fit, while the device itself works on its own, without needing help from a smartphone. Working along with Google’s Daydream VR for a wide variety of experiences and games, the Mirage Solo is quite remarkable, but what really pleases me is its design. Let me tell you why.

The Mirage, by virtue of its design, looks like an extension of a human’s head. It comes with Google’s Worldsense™ trackers that help it get an idea of whether you’re moving forward or back, tilting, or jumping, but what’s truly pleasing is the touch of biomimicry that puts the trackers right in front of your eyes, making it look like you’re wearing a device with human-like eyes of its own. Plus, the white and black exterior does tend to give you a Robosapien vibe, if you remember them!

The Mirage Solo comes with 4 gigs of RAM, enough to comfortably run most mobile based VR applications, and it even packs 64Gb of internal storage. To make things interesting, Lenovo also launched the Mirage camera that captures images and video in 180° 3D. Your move, Oculus!

Designer: Lenovo

The Walking Wheel

Posted: 10 Jan 2018 10:20 AM PST

Face it… you’re going to age! By then, you’ll appreciate having as many alternatives as possible to get around. Designed as an introduction to assistive mobility, the walking wheel takes inspiration from the traditional walking stick without the total reliance.

It can be used as a crutch for walking or leaned on for support when standing. An integrated pressure-sensitive brake gives the user grip in both modes. Because it uses the same diameter as standard bicycle wheels, it can be fitted with tires of varying tread type to accommodate different terrain types and scenarios from hiking to casual walking. Better yet, there’s nothing quite like it! So, it doesn’t have the stigma associated with old age and physical debilitation.

Designer: Markus Erlando Gekeler

Razer made a super-suit for your smartphone

Posted: 10 Jan 2018 06:00 AM PST

The one thing I love about Razer is that it’s never afraid to push innovation. Designed completely around the customer and their needs, Razer’s products are a combination of sheer power, good looks, and capabilities that are decided by the requirements of its loyal fanbase. The result is a company that’s probably the antithesis of Apple (known for pushing their decisions on the customer), but is still a producer of gadgets that are designed to amaze.

While everyone’s thought about it, not many companies consider modularity as an ideal approach for consumer technology. Google gave up on its Project Ara, and the Moto Z isn’t particularly a great case study… but if one is to seriously judge whether modularity can be a good approach for gadgets, the Project Linda is your best case. Linda is a laptop designed by Razer that allows you to dock your phone into a slot where you’d expect the trackpad to be. However, the Linda isn’t a laptop… The Linda is the Iron Man Suit to your Tony Stark of a phone. Designed to turn your handheld smartphone into a complete working and gaming device, the Linda laptop is “powered by” the Razer Phone that gets docked in it. Built with a stunning 13.3 inch quad-HD touchscreen that refreshes at 120Hz, just like the Razer Phone. Dock your phone in, and the laptop transforms into a Chromebook that runs on your phone, allowing you to work, play, and do everything in between with remarkable ease and power. Meanwhile, the phone stays docked in the trackpad slot, working as not just a trackpad itself, but also a secondary screen. With smartphones becoming more and more powerful, being able to multitask, and do everything a laptop can, it only makes sense that the laptop bows down to its successor and forms an alliance with it. Don’t you think so too?!

Designer: Razer

Staying Hydrated for Dummies

Posted: 10 Jan 2018 01:20 AM PST

Now, here’s a design everyone can use, because it doesn’t matter who you are… you’re either not drinking enough water or not often enough! Especially useful for those who get busy at work, Drinki is designed to keep you properly hydrated throughout the day.

It features a top lid infuser so you can add in your favorite tea leaves or other flavors. Because it can be used for tea or cold water, it also sports a cute, glowing temperature gauge that mimics the shape of a water droplet so you can always ensure your water is just right. Because it’s easy to forget to hydrate, it alerts users with a sound and vibration alert when it’s time to quench. A digital happy face at the bottom of the water droplet screen will track your progress and display a happy face when you’re staying hydrated. Alternatively, it will rock a sad face if you haven’t sipped for an hour. No water in 2 hours = dead face. So drink up!

Designer: Yifeng Qin

Sony unveils man’s ‘new’ best friend (and more) at CES

Posted: 09 Jan 2018 09:00 PM PST

Sony has been known to show up at CES with an upgraded version of what they released the following year…yawn…but this year, Sony means business. This year Sony is showcasing a pair of truly wireless headphones (WF-SP700N), a new portable speaker (SRS-XB41), a compact and elegant projector with magnificent sound (LSPX-A1) and a cute little surprise in the form of aibo, the robotic dog. Of course, there’s also a new TV, sound bar, and compact digital camera to add to the list.

Designer: Sony

No longer just some clunky piece of tech sitting in the middle of your living room, the LSPX-A1 is an elegant projector which fits seamlessly into the interior or any household. With an artificial marble top, aluminum frame and wooden shelf, the LSPX-A1 transforms your living environment while complementing its decor. Boasting some of the most crystal clear sounds, the LSPX-A1 comprises of organic glass tube tweeters for clear highs and a 360- degree soundstage.

There’s a lot to be desired about what Sony has released this year. For example, the WF-SP700N has digital noise cancellation, waterproof with the all-important IPX4 rating and comes with a nifty carry case, not to mention the embedded Google Assistant making life easier. The design choices of the WF-SP700N are interesting but definitely distinguish their place in the line up of wireless headphones out there.

And of course, how could we forget about aibo. One look is enough to know precisely what aibo needs. With a face full of life and expression, always drawing attention, aibo conveys emotion intuitively. That’s right, aibo’s facial expressions are magnificent. “Sparkling with a clever twinkle,” aibo’s mannerisms speak volumes, continually giving you a window into its feelings. Not only this, aibo is full to the brim with tricks and gestures in the hundreds, enough to surprise you and to discover new things about aibo constantly. Using the camera located at the end of its nose, aibo is capable of detecting obstacles, bumps, people, and more, aibo reacts accordingly. Not only this, aibo listens attentively, locating the sources of sound, turning its head in the direction of people’s voices. Also, aibo loves pink, which is why all the aibo toys have pink elements FYI.

Suitcase that follows you like a pet

Posted: 09 Jan 2018 05:00 PM PST

The World’s first self-balance auto-follow suitcase. Yup, that’s right, and I’ll say it again so that it sinks in – the World’s first self-balance auto-follow suitcase. Developed by 90FUN, this nifty two-wheeler also knows as ‘Puppy1′, uses the same technology implemented by Segway. While also being accompanied by patented technology, Puppy1 provides the user with a hands-free, automatic, convenient luggage buddy.

Along with its custom auto-following chip and the precise positioning system, it can either follow you anywhere or be summoned by easily setting up the auto-following mode through remote control. Accompanied by all this fancy tech is the fingerprint scanner located on the front of the compact suitcase. From every angle, this suitcase is quite simply the most gorgeous travel case I’ve ever set my eyes upon. The wheels and front compartment are highlighted with a complimenting blue LED hue, while the case itself is accented with various material patterns which make this product really pop.

90FUN is a brand founded on the mission to build and share a light & premium travel spirit. Inspired by the contemporary way of living, we aim to promote a lifestyle full of vigor, quality, and beauty. As an integral part of the Mi Ecosystem, 90FUN is without a doubt the most exciting member of the ecosystem to hit US shores and will be doing so at CES this year. Be sure to check it!

Designer: 90Fun

Half a pedal, twice the distance

Posted: 09 Jan 2018 03:00 PM PST

You know how when you first learned to cycle, you had your mother or father give you a gentle push from the back as you pedaled forward? The Copenhagen Wheel is pretty much the same thing. The wheel comes with a bright cherry red hub that houses a battery, a motor, and a bunch of sensors that capture your pedaling pattern, speed, torque, and cadence you’re putting in, then gives you an electrical assist. It captures your energy when you brake or go downhill, storing the power in the battery, and using it exactly when you need to, allowing you to travel faster and farther with half the effort.

Built by a bunch of engineers at MIT who then went on to forming Superpedestrian, the Copenhagen Wheel comes independently to be attached to any of your regular bikes, and even comes with its own bike design, if you’re looking for a brand new ride. Retrofitting the wheel to any regular bike is pretty easy, while the super-glossy red electronics hub at the back works marvelously by connecting to your smartphone, and while doing that, it looks marvelous too.

Designer: Superpedestrian

An aquarium for your dishes

Posted: 09 Jan 2018 12:59 PM PST

With its beautiful 3D printer aesthetic and perfect countertop-worthy size, the Tetra is a $299 dishwasher that’s a pretty little aquarium for your dishes. It sits on any kitchen counter, occupying a fraction of the space you’d normally reserve for dishwashers, and will wash anything from dishes, to glassware, to baby bottles, to even food ingredients. What’s amazing is that it doesn’t conceal the dishwashing process in an opaque box, but rather shows it off with its completely transparent casing that does a wonderful Lovegrove-ish water effect on the top. With the ability to wash/rinse/sanitize everything in just under 10 minutes, and with the way it looks, the Tetra is the literal embodiment of purity and beauty!

Designer: Heatworks